New York’s rotation needs a frontline ace after a 2025 collapse exposed innings gaps and overworked arms. Stearns has leaned on internal development and smart scouting, but injuries and depth issues undermined the plan. The Mets rode Senga, Severino, Manaea, and Quintana in 2024, yet 2025 injuries and the absence of a reliable ace at the deadline prompted trades of Verlander and Scherzer. For 2026, the emphasis must be frontline pitching and durable innings unless the internal pipeline proves ready.